NOTEThe salute should not be ended as though theperson is waving to someone or trying to getsomething off the fingers. Navy custompermits left-hand saluting when a salutecannot be rendered with the right hand. Armyand Air Force customs permit only right-handsalutes.U n d e r n ava l c u s t o m s , t h e h a n d s a l u t e i saccompanied by a word of greeting. The junior stands atattention, looks the senior straight in the eye, and says(depending upon the time of day) the following:From first rising until noon Good morning, From noon until sunset Good afternoon, From sunset until turning in Good evening, It is preferable to call the senior by grade and name;that is, Commander Jones, rather than by theimpersonal sir or maam.The following are some of the major points youshould remember when rendering a salute:1. If possible, always use your right hand. Use yourleft hand only if your right hand is injured. Use your lefthand to carry objects and to leave your right hand free tosalute.2. Accompany your salute with a cheerful,respectful greeting; for example, Good morning, sir;Good afternoon, Commander [Jones]; Goodevening, Chaplain [Smith].3. Always salute from the position of attention. Ifyou are walking, you need not stop; but hold yourselferect and square. If on the double, slow to a walk whensaluting.4. Look directly into the officers eyes as yousalute.5. If you are carrying something in both hands andcannot render the hand salute, look at the officer asthough you were saluting and render a verbal greeting aspreviously described.6. Remove a pipe, cigar, or cigarette from yourmouth or hand before you salute.7. Salute officers even if they are uncovered ortheir hands are occupied. Your salute will beacknowledged by a verbal greeting, such as Goodmorning, Good afternoon, or something similar.8. Army and Air Force policy, unlike the Navys, isto salute when uncovered. Suppose you are in an officewith several Army personnel, and all of you areuncovered. An officer enters and the soldiers rise andsalute. You should do likewise; to do otherwise wouldmake you seem ill-mannered or disrespectful.9. If you are walking with or standing by acommissioned officer and the occasion for a salutearises, do not salute until the officer salutes. Assumethat you are walking with a lieutenant. A commanderapproaches. Do not salute the commander until thelieutenant salutes; but as soon as the lieutenant starts tosalute, you should quickly do the same.10. When approaching an officer, start your salutefar enough away from the officer to allow time for yoursalute to be seen and returned. This space can vary; but adistance of about six paces is considered good for thispurpose. Hold your salute until it is returned or until youare six paces past the officer.11. Salute all officers who are close enough to berecognized as officers. It is unnecessary to identify anofficer by name; however, ensure that he/she is wearingthe uniform of an officer.9-3Student Notes:Figure 9-1.Hand salute.